Apple Store In Tokyo Cancels Event Over Bomb Scare

An Apple Store in Tokyo’s Ginza district was forced to cancel a promotional event on Sunday after receiving a handwritten note threatening to blow it up. At around 11 a.m. local time on Sunday, the Apple Store received an anonymous letter claiming the writer would blow up the store if the event was not canceled. The event, scheduled for the same day, was to feature Japanese movie director Isao Yukisada. The director was supposed to speak at 2 p.m.

Apple Store evacuates staff and customers

Officials from Tsukiji Police Station searched the store for explosives. They did not find any explosive devices or suspicious objects, reports The Japan Times. The outlet was closed for about an hour while officers searched the store. More than 150 staff and customers had to be evacuated immediately. It’s still unclear why the event featuring the movie director was targeted.

The police are investigating the episode as an “alleged forcible obstruction of business.” If caught, the perpetrator will be charged with obstruction of business operations. Authorities did not provide any information about what else the handwritten letter contained. Isao Yukisada has directed many successful movies including Go!, Parade, Five Minutes to Tomorrow. He won Japanese Academy’s Best Director award in 2005 for Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World.

The same store made headlines a couple of years ago

It was the same Apple Store that made headlines in 2013 during the release of the iPhone 5S and 5C. Hardcore Apple fans had queued up in front of the store when a typhoon warning was issued. The store was supposed to open at 10 a.m., but it opened the doors at 7:30 a.m., just minutes before the typhoon hit. The store invited customers inside and allowed them to bring in their wet possessions.

The customers were allowed to rest in the store theater until 10 a.m. The store even provided bottled water to customers. “I was so moved how Apple treats its customers,” said YouTuber AppTaylor.